THOMAS HUTCHINSO - Early Television Foundation

6 HERE IS TELEVISIONSetting the SceneLet us assume that we are about to produce a livetelevisionprogram and we begin to assemble the physical properties necessary for its production. The first step is to a great extent similarto that followed for a stage or moving picture production. If theaction is in a home the carpet usually goes down first. This is laidon the studio floor for picture values and for its sound deadeningeffect. Most studios today are floored with heavy linoleum. Inradio studios this was usually on the dark side, but the value ofreflected light from the floor will influence the color selected intelevision studios of the future.Either the floor itself will be lightor light ground cloths will be used. Then comes the scenery.This has been designed by the scenic designer for the production,built in the carpenter shop, and painted by the scenic department. It must be of the proper height and weight to facilitatemoving and yet make a practical setting for the production. Sofar most television scenery has been built along stage lines ratherthan to Hollywood specifications. One television production cannot tieup studio space for any longer than isabsolutely necessary.The scenery must be easily handled and, because of this,very few attempts have been made to build the semi-permanentsets we see in the movies. Much remains to be done in buildingCracks or joints are unforgivable but how totelevision scenery.get the effect of a solid wall and still be able to take the set outof the studio quickly and easily is a problem that requires careful planning and construction.With the scenery properly set, the stage properties come in.Furniture, curtains, dressing and hand properties. Then electrical fixtures such as chandeliers, floor lamps, and other homeequipment. Once the set is complete, we are ready to begin ourinvestigation of how to turn the picture of this scenery in thestudio into electronic impulses that will be broadcast to televisionreceiving sets and again reformed into visual pictures on thehome viewing screen.LightingThe first job is to properly lightthe set that we have assem-